Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

demilune

American  
[dem-i-loon] / ˈdɛm ɪˌlun /

noun

  1. a crescent.

  2. Fortification. an outwork resembling a bastion with a crescent-shaped gorge.

  3. a crescent or half-moon shape, as of the top of a piece of furniture.


adjective

  1. shaped like a crescent.

demilune British  
/ ˈdɛmɪˌluːn, -ˌljuːn /

noun

  1. fortifications an outwork in front of a fort, shaped like a crescent moon

  2. a crescent-shaped object or formation; half-moon

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of demilune

1720–30; < French: half moon. See demi-, lune 1


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

The outdoor space consists of a tiny demilune balcony that overlooks the sea.

From New York Times ● Mar. 20, 2024

Sunlight cascades through the demilune and tall windows into the great room with its 18-foot vaulted barrel ceiling made of narrow pine slats.

From Washington Post ● Apr. 24, 2015

When I left Sightwell," the scout replied, "I hurried around the west side of the demilune, which bends in pretty close to the fort, and ends in a tall, silk-lined leaf-tower.

From Old Farm Fairies: A Summer Campaign In Brownieland Against King Cobweaver's Pixies by Henry Christopher McCook

I thought best to return with this news, while Glideaway, who went with me on the scout, went around the demilune to observe the front of Fort Spinder.

From Old Farm Fairies: A Summer Campaign In Brownieland Against King Cobweaver's Pixies by Henry Christopher McCook

The small demilune fort, with its four cannon, that was intended to guard the harbour, was also deserted.

From The Monarchs of the Main, Volume II (of 3) Or, Adventures of the Buccaneers by Walter Thornbury

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

Get a word

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Dictionary.com's Learning Companion

Go beyond just looking up words.
Remember them forever with VocabTrainer.

Start training